World Reviewer rating

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Fly from Perth, Western Australia. It may have got easier in recent times but formerly you couldn’t go there without an invitation from someone who lived there. Excellent diving and snorkeling and the history of the place makes fascinating reading. Not much to do except dive and snorkel. Everything within walking distance on the main island (the other inhabited island being Home Island). Keeling Island was out of bounds when I was in the Cocos Islands but may be visitable now on the day if you are in the Cocos Islands. Permission probably still needed as it is probably now a nature reserve. These islands should not be confused with Cocos Island (singular) off the coast of Panama, famous for its hammerhead sharks.

Comments, reviews and questions by other travellers

Magic Paradise

The Cocos Islands are isolated but that is the charm! Where else can you walk from one isolated island to another, relax on stunning soft white sand on a beautiful beach lined with coconut trees and the blue waters in the lagoon are warm and full of life.

We snorkelled with Kat, a lone dugong that resides in the lagoon, took a fascinating Glass bottom boat ride with the kids and enjoyed a more traditional family holiday where you and kids have to make up your own fun - which is easy to do on Cocos. The locals plan an important role in any experience and the Cocos Malays are warm and soft community.

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

The Cocos Islands offer a deserted-tropical-island kind of holiday experience, with pristine, palm tree fringed, white sandy beaches and a jungle like interior.

The Cocos Islands have less than one thousand residents and there aren’t any resort type facilities or shopping and only a few local restaurants, but there is great swimming, walking, windsurfing, fishing and snorkelling and unspoiled vegetation. There is also a large marine population including turtles, manta rays and dolphins.

In the interest of preservation, access to the group's national park, Pulu Keeling National Park is restricted and you can only explore it when accompanied by rangers.

The Cocos Islands were until recently owned by a colonial British family who brought in slaves and farmed coconuts, the local inhabitants are Cocos Malay and mostly follow the Muslim faith, the largest settlement is on Home Island. Located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Western Australia in the humid tropical zone the Cocos Islands have limited fresh water supplies and have to import much of their food, so there is no chance of it becoming crowded or overdeveloped.